Houtei (River Bottom) - The Last Discard Concept

What is Houtei?

Houtei (river bottom) refers to the last discard tile in a mahjong round - the tile discarded by whoever drew the haiteihai (last wall tile). Winning by ron on this tile awards the 1-han yaku “Houtei Raoyui.” If no one wins on the houteihai, the round ends in a draw (ryuukyoku).

“Houtei” comes from “river” (the discard area) plus “bottom” - the deepest tile in the river.

Houtei Rules

Rule	Content	Notes
Last discard	After haitei draw	Final tile of round
Ron only	No tsumo possible	From other player
Houtei Raoyui	Ron on houteihai	1-han yaku
Furiten applies	Normal rules	Can’t ron if furiten

The Sequence

1. 122nd tile drawn (haiteihai)
2. Haitei drawer doesn't tsumo
3. They discard a tile
4. This discard is houteihai
5. No ron = ryuukyoku

Houtei vs Haitei

Item	Haitei	Houtei
What it is	Last drawn tile	Last discarded tile
Related yaku	Haitei Raoyue	Houtei Raoyui
Win method	Tsumo only	Ron only
Timing	At draw	At discard

Houtei Raoyui

Item	Content
Han value	1 han
Condition	Ron on houteihai
Stacking	Combines with other yaku
Note	Ron only (no tsumo)

Example Win

Hand: 123m 456p 789s 22m + East wait
Houteihai: East (ron)

Yaku: Tanyao + Houtei Raoyui = 2 han

Strategic Considerations

Houtei Decisions

Situation	Recommended	Reason
You’re tenpai	Cut non-wait tiles	Aim for houtei
Opponent tenpai	Cut safe tiles	Avoid deal-in
No-ten	Cut genbutsu	Ryuukyoku certain
In riichi	Normal play	No change

Houtei-Aware Play

1. Know who draws haitei
   - Track draw order
   - Their discard = houtei

2. Maintain tenpai
   - Keep tenpai until houtei
   - Chance for Houtei Raoyui

3. Manage safe tiles
   - Don't deal in on houtei
   - Stay careful to end

Common Mistakes

Confusing with haitei
- Haitei: last draw
- Houtei: last discard
Win method confusion
- Houtei is ron only
- Cannot tsumo
Yaku name error
- “Houtei” alone isn’t yaku name
- “Houtei Raoyui” is correct
Timing confusion
- After haitei draw
- Always follows haitei

Local Rules

Variations

Furiten handling
- Applies normally
- Can’t ron if furiten
Multiple ron
- Double/triple ron rules
- Atama-hane gets Houtei
Special rules
- Some don’t have Houtei Raoyui
- Confirm beforehand

Statistics

Houtei Raoyui rate: ~1-2%
Deal-in on houtei rate: ~5%
Reaching houtei rate: ~30%

Don’ts

Careless discard
- Deal-in on houtei
- Especially painful loss
Abandoning tenpai
- Missing Houtei Raoyui chance
- Wasteful
Rule confusion
- Thinking tsumo is possible
- Embarrassing mistake

Houtei Etiquette

1. Awareness of finality
   - Careful discard
   - Prepare for ryuukyoku

2. Consider all players
   - Announce "houtei"
   - Smooth progression

3. Confirm all wins
   - Check if anyone rons
   - Prepare for draw

Historical Background

Etymology

Chinese origin: “Houtei Raoyui” means fishing at river bottom
“River” meaning: Discards seen as a river
“Catch fish” meaning: Winning like catching a fish

Cultural Meaning

Dramatic win at the very end
→ Symbol of comeback
→ Dramatic development

Haitei: Last draw tile
Houtei Raoyui: Yaku for houtei ron
Haitei Raoyue: Yaku for haitei tsumo
Kawa: Discard area
Ryuukyoku: Draw game

Summary

Houtei is the last discard tile after someone draws the haitei - the final tile of the round. Winning by ron on it awards Houtei Raoyui (1 han). Understanding the haitei/houtei distinction is important: haitei is the last draw (tsumo possible), houtei is the last discard (ron only). Be especially careful with your houtei discard - stay focused until the very end.